The last week of July 2024 we decided to take a family cruise from Shilshole to Roche Harbor via Edmonds, Everett, La Conner and Friday Harbor. We left Shilshole, stopped in Edmonds and Everett to pick up family members then headed to La Conner, all an easy day cruise. From Edmonds to Everett, we had a tailwind from the South, a tidal current flowing North to South with occasional rain. The combination of the wind and tides created 3-4 ft. following waves at about 45 deg. off the stern. This caused Clifford to tend to align itself in a Northwesterly direction when it fell into the trough. The autopilot was not quick enough to correct the heading. I had to disengage the autopilot and manually turn the wheel 1-2 turns starboard to keep us on track. This is the first situation I've experienced where the autopilot has failed to keep Clifford on course.
Loading back up at one of the several public docks, downtown La Conner.
I had reserved moorage at Dock G at the Port of Skagit in La Conner, but stopped at a public dock in La Conner near Gilkey square to unload bags. This was only about 2 blocks from La Conner Inn so we decided to cancel our moorage at the Port (a very long walk from downtown) and just pay for the moorage at the public dock using the kiosk. There are quite a few public docks available, but are on a first come basis. I think this was the best plan, reserve a spot at the Port of Skagit, but try and use the public docks as they are much more convenient. The cancellation fee for the Port is $15.
The La Conner Inn has very reasonable rates, clean rooms with fireplaces, and a continental breakfast. They are vary close to restaurants and downtown shops. I highly recommend staying here. Just around the corner is the Firehall Kitchen and Taphouse, a very good place to eat and despite it's name, kid-friendly with a play area on the outside patio.
Future sailors watching the setting of the anchor.
We continued on to Friday Harbor via Swinomish channel to Padilla Bay, then followed the ferry route from Anacortes to Friday Harbor. We attempted to stop at James Is. State Park but the dock was full and we did not bring the dinghy. This was another easy day cruise. We stayed at the Bird Rock Hotel, downtown Friday Harbor. The walk from our moorage was fairly long, mostly because our moorage was at the very Northeast end of the marina. The Whidby and Salt Spring suites are across from each other with the Salt Spring having an outdoor patio. This was a perfect setup for the 5 grandsons to roam between rooms and for the adults to relax on the patio. There is a grocery store in the same block where you can stock up on groceries.
The next day we cruised to Roche harbor for lunch at the Madrona Grill and to let the kids run on the wide open grounds Northeast of the marina. The cabins there can be reserved through the Roche Harbor Resort but are very expensive and booked up early.
Other options at Friday Harbor include renting Scoot Coupes to tour the island and cruising to Lime Kiln Point State Park on the boat for whale watching.
Cruising and grilling in Rosario Straight with Mt. baker in the background.
On the fourth day we headed back, a full day cruise, especially since we stopped in Bowman Bay by Deception Pass for a hour or so to take a break. We dropped anchor and went ashore to the nice beach at the Southeast corner of the bay.
Nice sandy beach at SE corner of Bowman Bay near Deception Pass
On the way from Everett to Edmonds, we saw several Dolphins and a bald eagle to welcome us home.
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